the cobweb bearing
THE MOST VERSATILE AND PRECISE HIGH-SPEED BEARING EVER
Solving the Cage Instability problem was just a beginning in our innovation path. Based on our unique ability to model and compute the kinematics of the balls, we have also engineered the COBWEB Bearing.
WHAT IS THE COBWEB BEARING
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The COBWEB bearing is a high-end, ultra-efficient bearing with high power density, combining both high load capacity AND extremely high speed.
In the bearing industry, it’s widely believed that innovation is now mainly focused on incremental improvements in materials, precision, lubrication, or data use, since core design principles are seen as already established. The COBWEB overturns this perspective by introducing a major innovation in the groove design of the bearing rings.
Bearings are typically designed with a circular groove profile. But with an infinite number of possible alternatives, and aside from cost, why shouldn’t a non-circular profile be better? The COBWEB provides a concrete answer to that question.
The COBWEB introduces a unique concept of self-adaptability. Traditional bearings fall into two main categories: high load capacity or high-speed performance. This reflects a classic trade-off: load or speed. The COBWEB unifies both in one design: optimal load support at low speeds, AND optimal functioning at high speeds. Its internal geometry adapts continuously and naturally with rotational speed.
Originally developed to enhance the high-speed performance of turbopump bearings in rocket engines, the COBWEB bearing also finds applications in other demanding fields where performance cannot be compromised, such as machine tool spindles, turbochargers, and dental handpieces.
In a bearing world where fighting friction is critical, the COBWEB drastically reduces heat dissipation compared to conventional bearings, delivering a clear and more than substantial advantage in minimizing power loss due to friction!
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WHY IS THE COBWEB SO HIGH-PERFORMING
Various well-established physical factors, all thoroughly demonstrated, explain the exceptional performance of the COBWEB bearing, including:
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Reduced sensitivity to misalignment and combined loads compared to conventional bearings. The COBWEB consistently outperforms traditional designs, especially at higher rotational speeds.
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Reduced sensitivity to centrifugal forces. Ball displacement caused by centrifugal forces results in a smaller variation in the ball-to-ring contact angles in the COBWEB.
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Reduced sensitivity of preload variation to bearing operating parameters. Notably, the increase in preload due to high-speed operations is strongly mitigated.
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Reduced sensitivity to other geometric imperfections, further contributing to its superior operation.
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THE EXAMPLE OF MACHINE-TOOL SPINDLES
In the world of machine tool spindles, two trends dominate:
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High-speed operations – faster cuts without sacrificing accuracy or surface quality.
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Multi-purpose machining – versatility to handle a wide range of materials and cutting conditions, all in one setup.
Bearings have followed suit, enabling higher speeds, better precision, and lower energy consumption. But here’s the catch: you still have to choose between high speed for finishing and high load for heavy cuts. Different bearings. Different setups. Or settle for an unsatisfactory compromise.
Not anymore. With its unique, self-adaptive geometry, the COBWEB breaks the compromise. It provides the ability to support both rough and finishing operations.
In one bearing. One spindle. One solution.
THE EXAMPLE OF TURBOCHARGERS
For decades, turbochargers have faced significant challenges with bearings: high speeds (100.000+ rpm), extreme temperatures (up to 400°C), a combination of radial and axial loads, along with the need for high precision.
These factors have often resulted in difficult compromises, leading to noise, excessive heat, vibrations, and cage or bearing failure.
But not anymore. The COBWEB addresses the key pain points in turbo bearing technology:
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Optimized for extreme speeds: Smoothens performances across the entire speed range.
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Thermal protection: Prevents thermal instability and seizure.
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Adaptive design: Ensures natural adaptation to operating conditions, balancing pressure and heat dissipation.
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Cage preservation: Protects against cage failure, ensuring long-term reliability.​
how we created it
In the same way we developed the BUTTERFLY Cage, which solves the cage instability problem, we used an approach based on our deep understanding of the kinematics of balls to develop the COBWEB Bearing.
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More particularly, we utilized an innovative characterization method based on a power criterion, and our original computational tool, Rose, to achieve bearing equilibrium regardless of the working conditions the bearing endures. This allowed us to confidently model the COBWEB.
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We did not rely on common finite element design methods or other existing tools based on Newtonian formalism for the equilibrium of forces and moments.
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Our unique ability to understand kinematics and to model was key.
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your next step
The COBWEB Bearing features a unique internal geometry, with parameters tailored to meet the most demanding application requirements.
Fully customizable, it allows you to define what matters most, whether it’s speed, load capacity, thermal performance, tolerance to misalignment, or a combination of these. The key is to identify what’s acceptable, what’s not, and which performance aspects to prioritize.
Ask us for a customized quantified evaluation of the benefits a COBWEB bearing could bring to your application!